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I have been working hard for you to put together a collection of hot drinks that are family friendly; drinks that everyone can enjoy. These are not the usual packets that come in a box, nor the taste by a long shot either. I wanted to bring you a collection of some instant that you can make ahead to mix with hot water in a hurry. I also have some unique drinks such as the hot buttered rum drink that is made from a batter you keep in the freezer. The salted caramel hot chocolate rivals anything you can purchase, believe me, and try it with smoked salt…oohh, now that’s a treat. I have links here on the following pages for each of the drinks shown. They are listed from 1 to 9 though they are all favorites. I hope you enjoy them – we sure have!

BEST Non Alcoholic Family-Friendly Hot Drinks

#1 This Caramel Apple Cider is my copycat version of Starbucks. Recipe HERE

#2 My mom made a mix when I was growing up, then I made it for my kids. I kicked it up a notch and came up with this Extraordinary Instant Hot Cocoa Mix. Recipe HERE

#4 BEST Instant White Cocoa Mix is so good and can be made up ahead to have on hand for when you want a wonderful cup of cocoa. Recipe HERE

#5This Cozy Vanilla Drink is sophisticated and has a depth of aroma that is so satisfying. Recipe HERE#6 When you want something easy, but delicious, this CREAMY CrockPot Hot Chocolate is perfect. Recipe HERE

#7 This exotic hot chocolate is incomparable to any other in its distinctive and authentic flavor. It has a perfect balance of a bit of sweet and an amazing flavor. Click HERE for recipe.

Homemade Authentic Mexican Hot Chocolate

#8 My Gourmet Salted Hot Chocolate, in my humble opinion rivals any you will buy in a shop. Recipe HERE#9 This hot Buttered Rum drink is nonalcoholic and very unique and wonderful. Recipe HERE

My mom used to make a mix for our family growing up and then I made for mine. It was good, but I have taken the base and kicked it up a notch or two and I think it is better than the expensive kinds you buy in the cans. You can make it a dark chocolate or a more mild milk chocolate; depending on your taste. Serve with whipped cream, marshmallows, candy canes – whatever your heart desires. It’s homemade and EXTRAORDINARY!

Extraordinary Instant Hot Cocoa Mix

Ingredients:

21 – 26 oz. container of Nestle instant chocolate milk powder mix

1 cup powdered sugar

15-16 oz. powdered non-dairy creamer, original flavor

5 cups dry powdered milk, do NOT combine with water

2 Tablespoons – 1/2 cup of dutch processed cocoa powder – the amount depends on how deep you like your chocolate flavor, a few Tablespoons for a mild hot chocolate, more for a darker chocolate flavor – the better quality, the better your product.

This exotic hot chocolate is incomparable to any other in its distinctive and authentic flavor. It has a perfect balance of a bit of sweet and an amazing flavor that comes from the Mexican Hot Chocolate Drink Tablets. Those little tablets are so good, that a bit of taste- testing is in order, trust me.

The cinnamon sticks give a bright undertone to the drink that’s screams foreign lands. I would recommend taking the cinnamon out after 10 minutes or so. Some of us have a problem with too much cinnamon, and that is a ‘just-right-amount’ for the discrimination palate.

Now, for the chipotle powder. Do not be afraid of it, please trust me on this. I like flavor, not heat just for the sake of having hot in my food. You just need a few pinches and it highlights the the entire Mexican Hot Chocolate to an out of this world experience. You will LOVE this very special hot chocolate.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

4 cups whole milk

5-6 oz of Mexican Hot Chocolate Drink Tablets, chopped into small pieces – these are found in the Latino or Mexican section of the grocery stores

2 3″ cinnamon sticks

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

3-4 pinches of chipotle powder, start with 2 and add, but allow time for the flavors to marry before adding more

Directions:

In a medium sized pan, over medium heat, add the Mexican chocolate, cinnamon sticks, vanilla extract and chipotle powder. Pour in the milk and whisk, or stirring briskly, constantly, heat mixture through melting the chocolate; using care not to scorch the milk. Allow mixture to simmer on low for 10 minutes.

Remove cinnamon sticks.

Froth by whisking by hand or with a hand wand and serve if desired for an authentic way of serving this drink.

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate is all the rage with every specialty shop touting their recipe is great. Well, I have to tell you, I seriously don’t think you will find a better one than this. It’s not difficult at all to make. The dutch cocoa brings a gourmet flavor to the drink. And the hazelnut syrup adds a nuttiness that is one of those ‘hhmm, what is that delicious ingredient’ questions.

Now for the salt. It’s very common to use coarse sea salt, but my neighbor Jeremy generously gave me some mesquite smoked sea salt to try with the caramel hot chocolate as an experiment. Cups lined up, we tried some with the sea salt and some with the mesquite smoked salt. We were very pleasantly surprised at how much we loved the smoked salt. It brought out an entirely different flavor and YUMMY – you’ve got to try it! There are so many salts to try that will have a blast with this drink and impress your family and guests immensely.

In a medium saucepan, stir together the brown sugar, salt, cocoa powder and half & half. Over medium heat, stirring constantly bring to a simmer and cook for 1 minute.After 1 minute of a simmer, add in the caramel topping, syrups and extract and bring back to a simmer and still stirring constantly, simmer for 1 more minute.After the second minute of simmer, which allows the flavors to marry, add in the milk and bring to heat, but do not bring to a boil.

Warm to desired taste for serving.

Fill a mug about 2/3 of the way full with the gourmet hot chocolate.Then spray generously with spray whipped cream.Next drizzle with caramel sauce.Top with just put in a few pinches of coarse sea salt to your taste and stir it in for best result.Be a bit adventurous and try smoked sea salt.

Then a fabulous reader emailed in and said she added in pudding to the mix, which of course I just had to try, and it is even better! She used regular cook & serve, I used instant, so you can choose. Thank you for your suggestion my reader friend!

After a few tweaks and experimenting, I think this is perfection. You’ll have to give it a try.

For a really special treat, I have a really nice printable for you to include with the BEST Instant White Choco Mix so you can share itHERE

BEST Instant WHITE Cocoa Mix

Ingredients:

4 oz. Lindt white chocolate bar, broken into pieces

1 1/2 cups powdered milk

2/3 cup white chocolate chips

1/2 cup vanilla or French vanilla non dairy creamer

2 teaspoons dutch processed cocoa (yes, it is dark cocoa)

1/4 teaspoon. salt

3.56 oz. box of White Chocolate or Vanilla Instant Pudding mix

BEST Instant WHITE Cocoa Mix

Directions:

In a food processor combine all the ingredients

BEST Instant WHITE Cocoa Mix

Pulse until the chocolate chips and candy bar are in very small pieces.

Store the mix in a jar with a tight fitting lid or a zip lock bag.

Use 2 Tbl. (or more, depending on how rich you like your hot cocoa) in 6 oz. of boiling water.

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About This Blog

A Mother’s Shadow offers a unique range of topics, because we are all in various stages of life; which changes continually. Here you will find valuable knowledge, skills and encouragement to build and maintain a solid foundation for your family and marriage. Also, tools for a happy life, as well as how to leave a legacy of honor and integrity for your posterity and all who will pass your way.